Atjguste iyepee



(No Model.) l 2 sheets-sheen 2.

A. LEP'E.

MUSIC BOX.

No. 378,399. Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

A TTUH/VEYS UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUsTE LEPEE, or SAINTE SUZANNE, DoUEs, EEANoE.

MUSIC-BOXl SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,399, dated February 21,1888.

Application filed September 8, 1887. Serial No. 249.143. (No model.) Patented in France September 2, 1886, No. 178,316, and

, september 4, 1886, No. 178,344.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, AUGUSTE L EPEE, a citizen ofthe Republic of Switzerland, residing at Sainte Suzanne, in the Department of Doubs and Republic of France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Music-Boxes, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in France, No. 178,316, bearing date September 2, 1886, and No. 178,344, bearing date September 4, 1886,) ofwhichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in music-boxes, as set forth in the following specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a detail View of a rotating fork. Fig. 2 is a section in the planeg/ y, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a inodiiication. Fig. 5 is a section in the plane z z, Fig. 4, the barrel being removed. v

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, the letter Aindicates a barrel rotated by suitable means, such as a spring. The teeth of the barrel A trip the vibrating tongues B in the well-known way.

The barrel A is supported by and rotates between supporting lugs or pins C D, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The seats forthe center of the lugs C and D are formed in an axle or shaft, L, extending through the barrel. The lug C is shown as beingheld against the barrel-shaft by an inclined locking surface or wedge, I, securedv to a lever, G, swinging on a fulcrum, H. N is a coiled spring` mounted on the lug C and exerting a force to cause the lug C to be drawn away from the shaft L. By swinging the lever G in direction of the arrow 1, Fig. 3, the wedge I is carried away from the lug C, when the spring N draws the lug C away from the aXle L and leaves the barrel free to be moved. By swinging the lever G back to the position shown in Fig. 3 the wedge I will force thelug G back to the position shown in said gure and will hold said lug securely in such position so as to prevent displacement of the barrel. The lug D is fixed to some suitable part of the device, such as a wheel, K, which is rotated by a suitable motor, such as a spring. A rotating fork, F, receives aiinger or stud, E, secured to a disk or arm, M, mounted on the shaft L, and said rotating fork causes the barrel A to turn.

The barrel A may be given longitudinal mo tion on the shaft L to vary the tunes, as is customary in some music-boxes.

In Figs. 4 and 5 are shown arms or forks O, which serve as rests for the barrel A when said barrel is out of engagement with the lugs C D. When made to rest on the rests or forks O, the barrel A is also in convenient position to be engaged by the lugs. The barrel can thus be readily mounted on the lugs by drawing the movable lug away from the other lug, placing the barrel on the rests O, and then moving the movable lug toward the other lug, when the barrel will be grasped or engaged by saidlugs and will be in position to revolve and acton the tongues B; also, in case the barrel should become disengaged from the lugs, said barrel will drop onto the rests O, thus preventing injury to the barrel and to the instrument.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown a detent lever or arm, Q, swinging about a pivot, R, and having a iinger or detent, T, adapted to engage the wheel K and stop the revolution of the barrel A. A spring, S, presses the linger T into engagement with the wheel K. To release the wheel Kso that the barrelA may revolve, the detent-lever Q is moved about the pivot B so as to move the finger T out of engagement with the wheel K. An actuatinglever, U, is adapted to swing about a pivot, V, and by moving the actuating-lever U in the proper direction said actuating-lever will strike against the detent-lever Q, so as to withdraw the detent T from the wheel K or barrel A.

To wind up the actuating-spring of the barrel A, a key, P, is provided. By having said key and the detent mechanisrnU Q entirely located within the box, said key and detent mechanism can be protected from injury and concealed from sight when the box is closed, so as not to injure the attractive appearance of the instrument.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a music-box, the combination, with a barrel, of supporting-lugs G D, adapted to ena i 3. In u musiebox, the Combination, with n l removable barrel and lugs adapted to engage said barrel, of forks or rests O, adapted to receive or support said barrel, Substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence ol' two snbsorib- 2c ing witnesses.

AUGUSTE L EPE E.

Witnesses:

H. Wnrssiammnonn, F. Kleosslm. 

